Closure



Nov. 29, 1938. H. T. GRISWOLD CLOSURE Filed Sent. 2, 1937 [Zugh T Gxzlawalcl 11v VENTOR fla/ Y A TTZNE KS Patented Nov. 29, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLOSURE Application September 2, 1937, Serial No. 162,179

5 Claims.

The self-venting seal comprising the present invention is primarily adapted for use in connection with bottles or jugs having reduced threaded neck portions providing relatively narrow mouth openings, although the principles of the invention are applicable for use in connection with jars or other receptacles having wider mouth openings.

The principal object of the invention is to provide such a bottle seal which automatically operates to relieve excessive pressures developed or generated within the bottle; one which is inherent in the threaded finish of the bottle and in the usual threaded closure therefor; yet one which does not require such modification of either the bottle finish or of the closure as to preclude or increase the cost of their formation in the usual respective manners of molding these articles.

Other objects will become apparent as the following description ensues.

In the accompanying drawing: Fig. 1- is a perspective view of the threaded neck portion of a bottle manufactured in accordance with the principles of the present inven- Fig. 2 is atop plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken vertically through the neck portion of the bottle showing a threaded closure manufactured in accordance with the principles of the present invention applied thereto under normal conditions of pressure within the bottle; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through the bottle neck and closure under conditions of excessive pressure within the bottle.

The reduced neckportion .of a bottle is designated at II] and is provided with inner and outer surfaces that are substantially cylindrical. The usual threads II are formed on the neck to accommodate a threaded closure l2 having a depending skirt portion I 3. The upper rim M of the bottleneck surrounding the bottle opening provides a flat sealing surface designed for coextensive sealing engagement with a resilient liner l5 mounted within the closure l2.

A'portion of the glass existing in the vicinity of the rim l4 above the threads H is cut away to provide an inclined plane surface It which.

leaves a relatively narrow restricted venting edge or lip IT at the rim Id at one side thereof. Excess pressures generated or developed within the bottle are adapted to be relieved between the lip I1 and the liner 15 to the atmosphere by following the tortuous path provided by the threads I I between the outer surface of the bottle neck I and the inner surface of the skirt I 3.

In order to facilitate such venting of the bottle, a relatively wide annular groove I8 is formed in the inner surface of the closure l2 and overlies the'venting lip ll.

Under normal conditions of pressure within the bottle, the resilient liner I is compressed between the rim l4 and that portion of the closure immediately surrounding the groove l8 while 10 the portion of the liner overlying the venting lip I! remains in sealing contact therewith by virtue of the inherent resiliency and stiffness of the liner. Under conditions of excessive pressure within the bottle, the liner becomes flexed in the vicinity of the venting lip as shown in Fig. 4, thus following the line of least resistance over the edge and through the tortuous path provided by the threads I l to the atmosphere.

It is obvious that by varying the resiliency (and consequently the stiffness) of the liner [5, or the width of the venting lip ll, the bottle may automatically be caused to become vented to the atmosphere within reasonably definite ranges of internal pressure, assuming, of course, that in applying the closure to the bottle the. torque employed is neither excessive nor insufficient to create an effective seal.

Modifications may be resorted to within the spirit of the appended claims.

I claimzi" 1. In combination, a container including a circular wall defining a filling opening, the latter being formed with a continuous sealing surface at its outer end, said surface being reduced in width in a restricted zone to provide a venting lip, a closure, means for securing the closure in position to seal the opening, and a resilient liner in the closure in sealing contact with said surface and venting lip, said closure having a recess in its inner side directly over the venting lip.

2. In combination, a container having a neck formed with a continuous annular sealing surface at its outer end, a restricted portion of said sealing surface being of less width than the remainder thereof to provide a venting lip, a closure, means for attaching the closure to the neck, and a resilient liner in the closure in sealing engagement with said sealing surface, said closure having a recess in its inner surface directly over the venting lip.

3. In combination, a container having a neck formed with a continuous annular sealing surface at its outer end, a restricted portion of said sealing surface being of less width than the remainder thereof to provide a venting lip, a

remainder thereof to provide a venting lip, a

threaded closure on said neck having a cap portion and a skirt portion, and a resilient liner in said closure in sealing engagement with said sealing surface, there being a recess in the cap portion of said closure overlying said venting lip, said recess only partially overlying the remainder of said sealing surface.

5. In combination, a container having a neck provided with a continuous annular sealing surface at its upper end, the outer surface of said bottle neck above the threads thereof being provided with a cutaway portion having a plane up- Wardly and inwardly inclined surface intersecting said sealing surface to provide a venting lip of less width than the remainder of said sealing surface,-a threaded closure on said neck, and a resilient liner in said closure in sealing engagement with said sealing surface, there being a void in the material of which said closure is formed overlying said venting lip.

HUGH T. GRIsvvoLD; 

